Kimber-Smith earns new deal at Snetterton

Wokingham's Tom Kimber-Smith has already been told he has a new contract for next year by the Panasonic Batteries-supported Team JLR.

It's an unprecedented move and follows Kimber-Smith's impressive performances in rounds 12 and 13 at Snetterton last weekend.

The teenage flyer, in only his second season in National Formula Ford, notched up his first podium place and best championship result to date finishing third in a Team JLR 1-2-3 on Sunday.

Delighted team boss Richard Dean said: "It was a brilliant drive. Everyone in F1 has done Formula Ford and this is where they will get noticed.

"At 17 he's remarkable and has been quick all year. It's just his lack of experience at the moment that lets him down but he's got a brilliant future without doubt."

It was a memorable drive from the 17-year-old, who the day before had missed out on a third place in round 12 when he spun his Van Diemen in the closing couple of laps and ended up a disappointing fifth.

On Sunday it looked like a repeat performance in round 13 when he spun briefly early on, losing vital places, before battling his way back through the field.

Along with team-mate Christian England, the eventual winner, he was the only driver to put in a 69-second lap.

His searing pace even took him past current championship leader Wesley Barber on the way to third place.

Kimber-Smith said: "I passed loads of drivers but passing Barber was particularly special as it was such a great move around the outside at Coram Curve.

"Everyone was making mistakes so I kept my cool and picked up places.

"Wes was on my tail on the last lap but I knew I could lose him out of the chicane and at Sear.

Sunday's result bumps me up from tenth to eighth in the championship table.

"And it's given me added confidence, especially as without the early spin I had the outright pace to be climbing to the top step."

His father Geoff said: "Quite honestly if he races for the rest of his life, I don't think that he'll have a better race."

There are five rounds left in this season's National Formula Ford Zetec with Kimber-Smith returning from a Spanish holiday to compete at Knockhill, on August 10 and 11, followed by two rounds at Brands Hatch, on August 25 and 26. The final round is at Donington Park in September.

Geoff Kimber-Smith was due to get back behind the wheel of his Lotus Cortina at Snetterton last weekend but tore a hamstring muscle prior to the race and could not compete.